The Grenada gazette., 1887-10-29

- J~S VISA yVW n0NA 0OvCk OSCi
born before this voyage is over"
That was his speech as one Of the
sailors wrote 1t down, and that was
the cue the mates were to take. When
the of watch went below the men re-
marked to each other that it looked as
II we had signed articles with bad
man, but there was no criticism.
"hcn supper was served we found the
oeei outrageous. The smell of it was
suincient to turn . sailors stomach.
ana you can imagine that it must have
been pretty high. The tea could
never have seen the inside of chest.
! doubt if it was any thing more than
the leaves of trees and shrubs. The
ship biscuit had better been called
ship grubs. There was more worm
than biscuit in each case, and as hun
cry as we were not man made pre-
tense OF eating. Iti is the rule of every
ship that Jack may come aft with his
complaint. He was expected to in
this case. The captain was on deck
when he should haye been below. He
looked for kick against the proyis-
ions, and he proposed to shut the
grumblers right up After a fore
castle conference it was decided to ap-
peal to the captain. Not man of
either watch could touch the provis-
ions. An oldish man, who was a
thorough sailor, very intelligent, and
the last to find fault, was selected as
spokesman. and he put some
OF the provisions in a kid,
and we followed him to the main
mast. As l told you, it was evident
the captain and mates looked for Il
protest, for all were on deck. The
name Of our spokesman was Herbert,
and he was English born. The cap.
tain came forward to meet us as we
grouped around Herbert with hats off,
and after looking lis over he shouted
out:
swell, blame your eyes, why dom t
you speak upP What is wanted Of
mep"
If you please, SIR" said Herbert,
1--WE can't eat the grub"
ooh! you can't! You are probably
disappointed. You expected oyster
soup, Java coffee, hot biscuit and
honey, and your stomachs have gone
back on you"
"Your honor, but will you please
smell of this beef?" asked Herbert.
advancing a step.
Smell Of the beef, you hounds,
you!" howled the captain. did the
owners engage me to sail the ship or
to smell of the forccastlc bcefp
sized y on up on the start for a lot of
skulking soiers, and here's proof that
l was right. You are q lot of curse
mutinous dogs, and now's the time to
give you lesson"
With that the three officers began
the attack, never minding who they
hit, and driving the watch on deck
with the others, The man at the
wheel was, believe, the
only man who escaped blow,
while not a sailor raised
his hand in reply. The ship was run
ming off before light breeze, and for
fifteen minutes the three men had it
5heir own way. Then the captains
watch was called, the other sent below,
and as we came on deck Captain Nc
Kay said:
"There. curse you for lot OF dock
Ioafcrs! l hope you have found out who
sails this ship. The man who darcs
come aft with another complaint will
get his brains knocked out.
There were nine of us in the cap
tain's watch, which, as l told you, was
'eally the second mates watch, no
captain standing a watch at sea unless
nc so wills. Every one OF us had been
struck or kicked, and two of the men
had been savagely beaten on the head.
and were covered with blood. The
lame of the first mate, who now went
below with the captain, was Mclean.
The name of the second mate was An
lrews. He was younger man than
he others, and perhaps had more
leart, for after bit. while Herbert had
he wheel, he stopped near him and
observed:
"The old man is a little rough, but
me of the best seamen out of Glasgow.
lou complained too soon."
But Mr.. Andrews, what are we to
10 for grub?" asked Herbert. "There
st't man in the castle as can eat
uoh stuff"
"Well, it's not my lookout what the |
'wnsrs furnish. Unless YOU men want
he dickens to pay you will turn to
nd mske the best of it.
That ,loscd the conversation. Not a
ian Of - spoke of mutiny or even the
lightest resistance to lawful authority.
When ou. watch was up we turned in
nd went y sleep. l for one cherished
he hope tkat the provisions would be
etter in tn. morning. The officers